Tag: Skiing

The kids were on spring break earlier this month. We decided to spend one of the days enjoying some spring skiing. We drove up to Giant’s Ridge Ski Hill on Sunday. We skied, swam in the pool and enjoyed a nice dinner. We returned home the next day. It was a quick trip, but a nice way for the kids to begin their break. Mike and the kids took a few pictures on the hill with his iPhone. I missed out on the photos and selfies. I was there skiing too…just not as fast or on the difficult runs that they were on.

The ViewReady For SkiingSelfie

Ready To Bomb The HillSelfieBelly FlopCannonballCannonballThe LodgeReady For Departure

After trying out Sebastian’s old snowboard in the backyard two weeks ago, Sophia took a free snowboarding lesson at Chester Bowl Ski Hill yesterday. It was a quick hour that she wished could have gone on longer. She was given the basics and really enjoyed trying her hand at a new winter sport. We stayed for more than two hours after the lesson was over so that she could try out some of the techniques her teacher showed her.

Boarder GirlSnow ChampionThe Girl & Her BoardEnjoying The Sunshine

We were back at Chester Bowl again today for the ski races. Sophia finished in the upper third of her age category of close to 20 girls. After the races concluded and the trophies were handed out, she exchanged her skis for a snowboard and was back at again for another hour. I have a feeling she will sleep well tonight.

There were no gold medals, no world records and no opening or closing ceremonies, but we did have our own Winter Olympics this past weekend in our backyard and front yard and even from our rooftop. When mother nature gives you snow, what do you do? Our latest storm gave us over 15″ of snow. We had plans to take a mini ski vacation to Giants Ridge while the kids were on winter break last week, but with the “blizzard” predictions, we changed our plans and stayed in Duluth to ski at Spirit Mountain. The white out conditions caused Spirit Mountain to close at 4pm which was probably a good thing. We got home before the worst of the storm hit. By the next morning, drifting snow buried our driveway, sidewalk and everything else. As a family, we ventured outside and began digging out. After most of the work was done, the kids decided to have a little fun. Out came the snowboards and sleds and our mini Olympics was underway.

Girls Division | Driveway Snowboarding

Boys Division| Driveway Snowboarding

Senior Division | Driveway Snowboarding

After a quick photo next to the tunnel that leads to our front steps and door, we moved to the backyard snowboarding course.

Girls Division | Backyard Snowboarding

Boys Division | Backwards Skeleton

Girls Division | Swing Set Jump

Boys Division | Swing Set Jump

Preparing for the jump.

The big jump.

Pairs Roof Jumping

Relaxing before the jump.

After the jump and digging out.

Boys Division | Luge

Senior Division | Roof Shoveling

The snowman that was created back in December has not melted, but is nearly buried by snow. Here he is during the early December snowstorm when Mike and Sophia made him.

Mr. Snowman With His Creators

Here he is now…or what is left of him. Look for the tip of his red hat.